Six “reform-minded” Republican state senators earlier this week declared their intent to introduce legislation that would require state agencies to engage in zero-based budgeting, essentially requiring them to build their budgets from zero dollars as a means to justify expenses.

Although a deal has already been penned by the Pittsburgh Penguins and the city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Sports & Exhibition Authority (SEA) to redevelop the former Civic Arena site, the city itself wants to know just what the 28-acre site in the central downtown district is worth.

Legislation sponsored by Pittsburgh City Councilman Daniel Lavelle (District 6) passed council 6-2 Tuesday and would enlist the help of the city’s Director of Finance to conduct an appraisal of the 28-acre site in the Lower Hill District.